A complete application consists of:

• An application
• Transcripts – Click here for detailed information about acceptable transcripts
• A current resume/CV, including academic history, employment history, relevant experiences, and publication list
• Two educational or professional references

All documents must be in English or include an official English translation.

If you have questions, send an email to EPArpp@orau.org. Please include the reference code for this opportunity in your email.

 A postgraduate research project training opportunity is currently available with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention (OCSPP). This training opportunity is with the Analytical Chemistry Branch (ACB) laboratory of the Biological and Economic Analysis Division (BEAD), Office of Pesticide Programs (OPP).  The laboratory is located in Fort Meade, Maryland.

The BEAD is one of nine divisions that supports the OPP in regulating pesticides and ensuring that their use does not pose unreasonable risks to human health or the environment. BEAD’s diverse staff works together to provide data, analyses and assessments, as well as laboratory technical support, to other OPP divisions and others within and outside EPA. BEAD is comprised of an immediate office, and several branches. The ACB laboratory, at the Environmental Science Center Fort Meade, MD, provides analytical chemistry laboratory support to EPA-OPP by furnishing expert technical advice and performing special chemical studies that meet emerging program needs in the areas of risk assessment and enforcement.

The ORISE research participant will interact with other chemists in the laboratory and learn about the different phases of the laboratory’s projects. The BEAD-ACB laboratory is ISO 17025 compliant and the participant will learn about the ISO requirements as they apply to an analytical laboratory.  Some current laboratory activities include:

• Handling, log in and analysis of pesticide residues in various environmental, food and feed samples
• Sample handling, chain of custody and analysis of pesticide products for label claim verification
• Analysis using a variety of instrumentation including gas chromatography, liquid chromatography with a variety of detectors including flame ionization and mass spectrometry
• Quality Assurance review of data generated and preparation of reports. This includes statistical analysis of data for quality assurance and quality control purpose
• Collaborate with other EPA scientists to create a database for tracking, reporting, and performance large projects
• Travel to and attendance at scientific meetings (for example AOAC, ASMS, ACS, …) to learn about new technologies and analytical methods for pesticide residues analysis.

This program provides an opportunity for the selected candidate to:

• Learn about the different phases of laboratory projects from sample log in, sample preparation and analysis to data processing, review and finally reporting.
• Conduct analyses and gain experience in using a variety of instrumentation including gas chromatography, liquid chromatography with a variety of detectors including flame ionization and mass spectrometry.
• Gain experience in laboratory project design, planning, and analysis as well as quality assurance procedures for data generation and preparation of reports.
• Interact directly with EPA analytical chemistry staff to understand the workings of an EPA laboratory that provides technical advice and performs pertinent studies that support program needs.

The participant will have an opportunity to develop/hone their analytical chemistry skills and understand the workings of an EPA analytical chemistry laboratory. The participant will also have an opportunity to interact with analytical chemists who support the agency in developing pertinent scientific information for the pesticide programs.

This program, administered by ORAU through its contract with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to manage the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE), was established through an interagency agreement between DOE and EPA. The initial appointment is for one year, but may be renewed upon recommendation of EPA and is contingent on the availability of funds. The participant will receive a monthly stipend commensurate with educational level and experience. Proof of health insurance is required for participation in this program. The appointment is full-time. Participants do not become employees of EPA, DOE or the program administrator, and there are no employment-related benefits.

Applicants must have a received at a minimum a Bachelor's degree in chemistry or a related physical, biological, or environmental science within five years of the appointment starting date. Experience working in an analytical laboratory is desirable.

• Citizenship: U.S. Citizen Only
• Degree: Bachelor's Degree, Master's Degree, or Doctoral Degree received within the last 60 month(s).
• Discipline(s):
  • Chemistry and Materials Sciences (5 )
  • Engineering (1 )
  • Life Health and Medical Sciences (1 )